Leave Griffin early to beat traffic and make the most of the day — fuel up and grab coffee and breakfast sandwiches at The Depot in downtown Griffin before hitting I-20 West toward Atlanta and then I-22/I-55 north. Enjoy a relaxed, scenic stretch through rural Georgia and northern Alabama; plan a short stretch-and-photo stop at Bankhead National Forest or a quick brunch at a roadside diner in Jasper, AL to keep the energy up for the long haul.
Cross into Mississippi and continue northwest toward Memphis, stopping for a late lunch at the historic Arcade in Columbus or a barbecue pit stop in Holly Springs if you want Southern flavor en route. Time your drive to arrive in Memphis mid-afternoon so you can stretch your legs with a stroll along the Mississippi River at Tom Lee Park, then check into your hotel and freshen up before evening plans.
Dive into Memphis’s nighttime energy with dinner at the iconic Central BBQ or Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken, followed by live music on Beale Street — catch a set at B.B. King’s or a smaller blues club for an authentic experience. If you’re up for it, grab a late-night walk to the illuminated Mississippi Riverfront or visit the Lorraine Motel/ National Civil Rights Museum (check evening hours) to absorb the city’s history before turning in for the night and preparing for the next day’s westward push.
Start the day with a hearty breakfast at Brother Juniper’s or Blue Plate Café in Memphis, then take one last stroll along the Mississippi at Tom Lee Park to watch morning light glint off the river before you head west. Cross the state line into Arkansas via I-40, pausing for a quick photo at the Hernando de Soto Bridge and a caffeine top-up in West Memphis at a local coffee shop like West Memphis Coffee Co.
Drive through scenic Arkansas Delta landscapes and stop in Forrest City or Marianna for a stretch and a casual lunch—try classic Southern fare or a catfish plate at a local diner to sample regional flavors. Arrive in Little Rock mid-to-late afternoon and explore the River Market District: walk the Arkansas River Trail, visit the Clinton Presidential Center if time allows, or browse boutiques and food stalls to get a feel for the city.
For dinner, savor pub fare and local brews at Lost Forty Brewing or enjoy elevated Southern cuisine at Cache Restaurant in the River Market area. Afterward, take a sunset walk across the Big Dam Bridge or catch live music at a downtown venue to round out the evening before settling into your hotel and prepping for the next day's push toward Oklahoma.
Depart Little Rock after breakfast—grab biscuits and coffee at The Root Cafe downtown—then head west on I-40 through the Arkansas countryside, crossing into Oklahoma near Fort Smith. Pause for a leg-stretch and photos at the historic Fort Smith National Historic Site or pick up snacks and a cappuccino at a local café in Sallisaw before continuing toward the state capital.
Cruise across eastern Oklahoma's rolling hills and oilfield towns, stopping for lunch in Muskogee or at Roxy's Cafe in Sallisaw for homestyle plates; if time allows, take a short detour to explore the Route 66 Museum in Clinton for classic Americana. Arrive in Oklahoma City mid-to-late afternoon and walk the Bricktown Canal, or visit the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum to ground the trip in the city's history.
For dinner, sample modern Southwestern flavors and craft cocktails at The Jones Assembly or enjoy smoked meats at Fassler Hall in the lively Depot District, then catch live music or a rooftop view along the Bricktown waterfront. Finish the night with a relaxed stroll through Myriad Botanical Gardens to decompress and prepare for the long drive west to Amarillo tomorrow.
Fuel up and depart Oklahoma City after a hearty breakfast—try the biscuits at The Mule or a coffee-to-go from Elemental Coffee—then head west on I-40 toward the Texas Panhandle. Pause for a photo and short walk at the iconic Route 66 signs in Clinton, and if you’re feeling curious, pop into the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum to soak up classic Americana before continuing across rolling plains.
Continue west into the wide-open landscapes of western Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle, planning a lunchtime stop in Shamrock, TX to see the Tower Station and grab a burger at one of the local diners. As you approach Amarillo, detour north to Palo Duro Canyon State Park for a scenic overlook or a short trail hike—this spectacular canyon provides a dramatic contrast to the highway miles and is a perfect late-afternoon stretch.
Arrive in Amarillo in time for dinner at The Big Texan Steak Ranch for a quintessential Panhandle experience or opt for modern Southwestern dishes at Tyler's Barbecue & Grill downtown, then stroll historic Sixth Avenue. Cap the night with a sunset view at the Cadillac Ranch art installation or relax at your hotel preparing for the long final day west into New Mexico and beyond.
Leave Amarillo early after a quick breakfast at Ye Olde Pancake Station or a coffee and biscuit from Yellow City Bean to maximize daylight for the long haul; top off the tank and check your route on I-40 west toward New Mexico, enjoying the Panhandle’s big-sky views as you roll past Tucumcari and Albuquerque. Plan a short leg-stretch at the Cadillac Ranch if you missed it last night or a sunrise stop at Palo Duro overlook before crossing into New Mexico to keep the drive feeling fresh.
Continue west across New Mexico and northern Arizona, breaking for lunch in Flagstaff—try Lumberyard Brewing Co. or a quick Navajo taco at a roadside stop—and, weather permitting, take a 30-45 minute detour to walk around the scenic Walnut Canyon or the historic downtown. As you leave Route 66 country and cross into California via I-15, expect long stretches of desert highway; schedule brief breaks at rest areas and a coffee or snack stop in Barstow to recharge for the final leg into the Los Angeles basin.
Descend into the greater Los Angeles area in the late afternoon and follow I-15/I-210 into Santa Clarita, arriving in time to check into your hotel and stretch your legs with a stroll at Old Town Newhall or along the walkable Main Street. Celebrate the roadtrip’s end with dinner at The Vault in Valencia or local Mexican favorites at La Cocina de Flore, then relax with a nightcap and reflect on the cross-country journey before turning in—tomorrow is a day to unwind and explore Santa Clarita at a slower pace.